I am Kebede Mergia, a filmmaker and educator with over 38 years of practical experience in production management, directing, and teaching across large international projects. My career centers on photography and cinematography, and I have grown into directing short features and documentaries while mentoring aspiring filmmakers. I studied Theatre Arts, Filmmaking, and recently, Media Management, to understand the arts and their classifications. I am committed to lifelong learning and have a strong passion for teaching and empowering under-resourced filmmakers.

Kebede Mergia

I am Kebede Mergia, a filmmaker and educator with over 38 years of practical experience in production management, directing, and teaching across large international projects. My career centers on photography and cinematography, and I have grown into directing short features and documentaries while mentoring aspiring filmmakers. I studied Theatre Arts, Filmmaking, and recently, Media Management, to understand the arts and their classifications. I am committed to lifelong learning and have a strong passion for teaching and empowering under-resourced filmmakers.

Available to hire

I am Kebede Mergia, a filmmaker and educator with over 38 years of practical experience in production management, directing, and teaching across large international projects. My career centers on photography and cinematography, and I have grown into directing short features and documentaries while mentoring aspiring filmmakers.

I studied Theatre Arts, Filmmaking, and recently, Media Management, to understand the arts and their classifications. I am committed to lifelong learning and have a strong passion for teaching and empowering under-resourced filmmakers.

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Language

Amharic
Advanced
English
Advanced
Finnish
Advanced

Work Experience

Professional Lecturer at OMNIA: The Espoo Region's Educational Association
October 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024
Teaching film skills within OMNIA's Media Industry and Visual Expression program.
Media Producer at Helsingin City/ Community Houses, Helsinki
August 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022
Recorded photographs and videos, edited and directed several promotional videos for six community centres.
Media & Communication Director & Media Trainer at Eminence Social Entrepreneurs, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014
Led a team of 38 professionals producing weekly TV programs, documentaries and advertisements; conducted audiovisual training.
Coordinator of Amharic language TV programs production at IRR-TV ry (Great Commission Media Ministries), Kerava
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2013
Coordinated Amharic-language TV program production; documentary camerawork, editing, directing, and hosting interviews in studios.
Photographer and Documentarist at University of Arts and Design / Media Lab, Helsinki
January 1, 2004 - February 28, 2009
Video documentation, AV production, cinematography, editing and photography. Mentored students and assisted teachers.
Cultural & Media Producer at Helsinki City Cultural Affairs: Taru project, Helsinki
June 1, 2002 - April 30, 2003
Mapped artists and produced three promotional/profile videos, transmitted on TV1.
Freelance Writer, Director & Cameraman at YLE TV 1, Basaari, Helsinki
April 1, 2001 - December 31, 2003
Produced 9 TV programs as cameraman; 2 TV programs as writer, cameraman, and director.
Instructor/Teacher at Ethiopian Mass Media Training Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
June 1, 1996 - August 31, 1997
Taught theoretical and practical photography, videography: field and studio camera works.
Assistant/Cameraman, Photographer, Videographer at Ethiopian Film Corporation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
September 1, 1986 - July 31, 1996
Participated in feature films, documentaries and promotional films; responsible for filmmaking equipment.
Junior Theatre Expert at Ethiopia Ministry of Culture & Sports Affairs
September 1, 1984 - November 30, 1986
Conducted theatre/drama training/workshops across regions; directed stage dramas.
Coordinator of Amharic language TV programs production at Ethiopia IRR-TV ry (Great Commission Media Ministries), Kerava
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2013
Documentary film camerawork, editing, directing, hosting interviews in studios.
Freelance Writer, Director & Cameraman at YLE TV 1, Cultural Programs // Basaari, Helsinki
April 1, 2001 - December 31, 2003
9 TV programs as a cameraman; 2 TV programs as writer, cameraman, and director.
Junior Theatre Expert at Ethiopia Ministry of Culture & Sports Affairs, Various Ethiopian regional cities
September 1, 1984 - November 30, 1986
Conducting theatre/drama training/workshops; directing stage dramas.

Education

Film skills; Film technical assistant training at OMNIA the Espoo Region's Educational Association
January 1, 2022 - June 1, 2022
Master of Culture and Arts (Media Management) at Arcada University of Applied Sciences (AMK)
August 1, 2017 - July 1, 2018
Audiovisual Storytelling at TAIK (University of Arts and Design, Media Lab. Department)
August 1, 1999 - May 1, 2006
Diploma/Certificate: Basic, Theoretical and Practical Film Training in Film Cinematography at Ethiopian Film Corporation, FIDA (Sweden), Royal Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia
April 1, 1987 - May 1, 1987
Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts at Addis Ababa University
September 1, 1979 - June 1, 1983
Film skills; Film technical assistant training at OMNIA the Espoo Region's Educational Association
January 1, 2022 - June 1, 2022
Master of Culture and Arts, Media Management at Arcada University of Applied Sciences (AMK), Helsinki, Finland
August 1, 2017 - July 1, 2018
Audiovisual Storytelling at TAIK (University of Arts and Design, Media Lab., Helsinki)
August 1, 1999 - May 1, 2006
Diploma/Certificate: Basic, Theoretical and Practical Film Training in Film Cinematography at Ethiopian Film Corporation / FIDA (Sweden) / Royal Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia
April 1, 1987 - May 1, 1987
Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts at Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
September 1, 1979 - June 1, 1983

Qualifications

Diploma/Certificate: Basic, Theoretical and Practical Film Training in Film Cinematography
April 1, 1987 - May 1, 1987
Diploma/Certificate in Film Cinematography
April 1, 1987 - May 1, 1987

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization